KRAW

I didn't say I think it's art. I don't know if it is, and I don't really care if it is or not. I also don't care if it's called art. I'm just saying the mental gymnastics of trying to convince someone that something like programming as art is cringe.

I certainly don't disagree with the points made in the video. It in fact points out something related to what I'm saying. He states he notices that people that claim something is not art are often gatekeeping something from becoming "elevated." I'm extending the converse argument: many people trying to claim something is art are trying to elevate it to a new status.

My problem with calling programming art is not that I don't think programming is art, but rather that I think that label is not useful in this context. Programming is something that is very much valued without that label. Thus adding the label is just an attempt to tack on unneeded elevation to the craft. In some ways the video supports my viewpoint. The debate over what is art is a bit tired. It's worth having, but personally I don't think it is needed in this case.

I simply chose my field based on what I knew I enjoyed. I already had a job with working in systems, and I had HPC/FPGA experience from undergrad. Basically, I choose topics that I had at least a basic understanding and desired to expand into mastery.

I will be honest and say I don't think you've really thought this through. I would really weigh the pros and cons of the degree. Think about what you'd do instead of pursuing a degree. Identify a specific job you would want after you get your degree. If you only want to teach, you could be an instructor at a University, but the pay will not be good. If you want to do research, doing reaearch at a university level will require a PhD. Research centers will hire MS holders, but as engineers rather than researchers. If you want an industry job, make sure you actually need the degree you are thinking of getting.

For 99% of people, carrying on with the degree they have is the better choice. In your case I'd either make sure you consider the above or only pursue a master's if you truly cannot get the job you want with self-teaching.

I don't mean python and SQL. Anyone with a decent software background can pick that stuff up. As an example, my background is in high performance computing, networking, systems, and FPGAs. All of these are fields (well, maybe not FPGAs) that ML/AI rely heavily on, but if AI/ML disappeared tomorrow they'd still be incredibly relevant. Another approach is to study a domain science and apply AI/ML. For example, high energy physics leverages AI/ML, at least in research.

TBH, "wanting a good job" is a very generic response that needs more context. Are you moving from somewhere other than software? If you already have a software background, you might be better of self-teaching. If you are actually interested in research/teaching, that needs to be thought through very thoroughly. I say this as someone who just finished their PhD in CS, just to give context as to why I am being particularly intense on this point.

I would not enter AI/ML for one simple reason: it is oversaturated. Everyone and their brother is in tgis field, and even those outside of it still study it and us it. Unfortunately the way to stand out within AI/ML field is to have a very good mathematics/statistics foundation and really understand the theory behind it. You would be better served by getting skills in another field that AI/ML relies on or where AI/ML can be applier.

BTW, you should also state what you plan on doing with your degree. There is no point in getting a degree if there isn't a concrete benefit to doing so.

I have put on that much muscle. I just refuse to buy any kool-aid that's being sold to me. Maybe they should bring proof instead of spreading trends blindly?

Gym bros misquote this as a gram per pound, which is just a ridiculous amount of protein.

Evil Dead is not a slasher.

Air Bud is a dog movie on the surface, but has a surpisingly well done underlying story of a boy struggling with the loss of his father.

Did you hear about updoc?